The number of Lincolnshire children being educated at home has more than quadrupled since 2002, new figures have revealed.

Improvements in access to the internet at home are seen as one of the main factors behind the trend.

Data released by Lincolnshire County Council shows that 417 youngsters are currently being taught at home.

The leap of more than 460 per cent since 2002 – when just 89 children received a home education – is seen by education chiefs as part of an increasing national trend.

But the exact reasons for the change have proved difficult for experts to pinpoint.

Access to educational resources on the internet is seen as one key factor.

Bad experiences at school is another, while greater awareness of the options open to parents is also an issue.

Legally, a child is not obliged to go to school, although they must receive an education somewhere.

Chris Rogers, a violin teacher, and wife Susanna Matthan have been teaching daughter Asha Matthan-Rogers (11) since infancy.

And Mr Rogers, from Billinghay, said he thought the trend towards home-schooling would continue in the future.

"The route most go down is to send their children to school and devolve most or all responsibility to the school," he said.

"But many parents become cut off from children, particularly at secondary school.

"A child flourishes more when a parent is involved in their education."

The home schooling figures were released to the Echo under the Freedom of Information Act.

The totals have risen by eight per cent in the last two years – and council officials believe they are likely to keep increasing.

For more on the number of children being home-schooled, see Saturday's Echo.